Title: 💻 1.5. Artificial Intelligence (AI): What It Is and Why It Matters
Course: "Our networks, our security" Digital Security with a Gender Perspective > Section: Our internet, Our Rights: Basic Concepts

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability of machines to think, learn, and make decisions   —almost like a human, but powered by data and algorithms. AI is already part of our daily lives, from chatbots that answer our questions to facial recognition that unlocks our phones and 👉algorithms that decide what content we see online.

 According to UNESCO, artificial intelligence involves machines capable of imitating certain functions of human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, linguistic interaction, and creativity. It’s like a 'SUPER-BRAIN' capable of performing tasks that would normally require human intelligence. With this technology, electronic devices can listen to what we say, see images, read text, and "learn" from this information to provide us with answers and help us do things either faster or more efficiently.

How AI Works: The Brain Behind the Machine

At its core, AI is a system that learns from data instead of just following fixed rules. The more data AI collects, the smarter it gets. Some of its key abilities include:

🔹 Machine Learning (ML): AI analyzes patterns in data and makes predictions. For example, Netflix suggests movies based on what you’ve watched before.

🔹 Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI can understand and generate human language—this is what powers Siri, Alexa, and ChatGPT.

🔹 Computer Vision: AI can interpret images and videos, enabling self-driving cars, facial recognition, and medical image analysis.

🔹 Automation & Robotics: AI can control machines, like robotic assistants in hospitals or AI-driven hiring tools in workplaces.

As we’ll see in the next module, while AI brings many benefits, it also comes with serious risks, especially regarding security, privacy, and discrimination. This is particularly important for women, as AI systems are often built using biased data, which can lead to unfair treatment, privacy violations, and even safety threats.

An algorithm is a set of step-by-step instructions used to solve a problem or complete a task. Think of it like a recipe for cooking—just as a recipe tells you what ingredients to use and how to mix them in the right order, an algorithm tells a computer how to process information and make decisions. For example:

- A set of instructions to solve a math problem (step 1: add two numbers, step 2: divide by 2).
- The way Google shows you search results (step 1: check keywords, step 2: rank the most relevant pages).

Computers use algorithms all the time to do things like sorting emails, recommending movies, or finding the fastest route on a map.

👉Stanford AI Index– An annual report that tracks global trends, progress, and challenges in artificial intelligence, offering a comprehensive overview of the AI landscape.

👉 MIT Technology Review: AI– A regularly updated section that provides analysis, news, and insights on the latest developments in AI technologies.

👉 OECD AI Policy Observatory– A global resource that provides data, analysis, and policy recommendations on AI governance and its societal impact.